An Aussie demolition forged in the Big Bash

The Women's Big Bash League credited for helping Hamanpreet Kaur to produce her stunning World Cup semi-final century

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Australia could well be a victim of their own strength in women's cricket, with India captain Mithali Raj hailing the influence of the Women's Big Bash League for her side's World Cup semi-final triumph over the defending champion.

Raj said it was the WBBL competition that gave star batter Harmanpreet Kaur the knowledge, confidence and ability to produce an innings like the epic unbeaten 171 she smashed against the Australians in Derby.

Match wrap: Australia out after Kaur's Cup carnage

Kaur was the Sydney Thunder's second leading run-scorer in WBBL|02 last summer, scoring 296 runs in 12 innings at 59.2, an average boosted by seven not outs that highlighted her finishing ability.

Only Australia vice-captain Alex Blackwell, with 386 at 38.60, scored more. Kaur's 11 sixes in the competition were more than double the next best in Thunder ranks.

Classy Kaur shines in WBBL debut

"I think the transformation definitely happened after (Kaur) played in the WBBL," Raj said.

"That exposure, she and Smriti (Mandhana – who played with the Brisbane Heat) gained a lot of knowledge of interacting with other players, against Australia it was they who were giving us more inputs about these players."

Kaur was the difference in India's defeat over the heavily-fancied Australia side, blasting an unbeaten-171 from just 115 balls and scoring the fourth-highest World Cup total of all time in her side's 37-run victory.

Harmanpreet finishes it off in style

And her captain believes the more experience India's female cricketers achieve and the more climates they are exposed to, the better it will be for her side in the long run.

"If more players who are a part of these leagues where they exchange ideas and follow the routine of other players, being part of the meetings, it will only help improve the standard of women's cricket, as well as it's very beneficial for youngsters and players from Indian team," she said.